In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Pucker factor
thesupermonkey
Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
Comments
.
I have Made and Flown Kites for over Thirty Years. He had Kite In Highest Lift Part of the Flight Envelope - with Twenty Knots' Wind, that Kite could lift 300 Pounds, easily. When Flying Kites of that Power, a Quick-Release Harness is Prudent. Either He Didn't have one, or he didn't trip it. Many Kiters have been killed in similar conditions.
ouch
The First Lieutenant (a Lieutenant Commander) and the Boatswain entered the contest. They decided they were going to win the contest by whatever means necessary. They built a kite out of wood, paper and cloth. They found some cord and took it up to the 01 level for a test flight.
The wind caught the kite and it didn't last a minute. In a matter of seconds the kite was torn to shreds.
They got some aluminum tubing, canvas and chain and replaced the cord with shot line and commenced building "Mod 2".
They took "Mod 2" up to the 02 level for a test flight. The Lieutenant Commander took one turn of the shot line on his left hand and they launched the kite. It was unfortunate he took a turn on his hand but fortunate he didn't take two turns.
The wind caught the kite and * the Lieutenant Commander about two feet off the deck. With a combination of him trying to turn loose and the pressure on the shot line he got untangled somehow. As it was he spend about six weeks with his left arm in a sling and bandages on his left hand. Another turn on the line could have cost him his life or his hand. (This was a man who knew better).
They dropped out of the kite flying contest. The contest almost got cancelled, but they just put in a few safety rules.
For almost a year after that you could get a good laugh just by saying the word "kite". Sailors ain't a very sympathetic bunch.
Edit: As far as I know the kite is still gaining altitude.
I am all for doing what ever it is that makes you feel like you belong as long as you willing to except and pay for the consequences.
lot's of his type around here, liv'n like there is no tomorrow
i had the advantage of going on a flat lake with a professional and the right gear. it was fun, but not all that exciting.
these guys can barely snowboard, let alone fly a kite. they are lucky he didn't die.
When I was on Sumter we had a kite flying contest. It was supposed to benefit the Navy Relief Society some way.
The First Lieutenant (a Lieutenant Commander) and the Boatswain entered the contest. They decided they were going to win the contest by whatever means necessary. They built a kite out of wood, paper and cloth. They found some cord and took it up to the 01 level for a test flight.
The wind caught the kite and it didn't last a minute. In a matter of seconds the kite was torn to shreds.
They got some aluminum tubing, canvas and chain and replaced the cord with shot line and commenced building "Mod 2".
They took "Mod 2" up to the 02 level for a test flight. The Lieutenant Commander took one turn of the shot line on his left hand and they launched the kite. It was unfortunate he took a turn on his hand but fortunate he didn't take two turns.
The wind caught the kite and * the Lieutenant Commander about two feet off the deck. With a combination of him trying to turn loose and the pressure on the shot line he got untangled somehow. As it was he spend about six weeks with his left arm in a sling and bandages on his left hand. Another turn on the line could have cost him his life or his hand. (This was a man who knew better).
They dropped out of the kite flying contest. The contest almost got cancelled, but they just put in a few safety rules.
For almost a year after that you could get a good laugh just by saying the word "kite". Sailors ain't a very sympathetic bunch.
Edit: As far as I know the kite is still gaining altitude.
I was told about this by my kiteboarding instructor. ozzie called it De-Gloving. It is a real problem with this sport. It will tear all the meat off your hands like a glove.
Tom